Signaling-torch.



No. 836,381. PATBNTED NOV. 20, 1906. T. 0. E1331. SIGNALING TORCH.

LPPLIOLTIOH FILED B281. 6. 3906.

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Wifnmeo THOMAS G. HITT. OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

SlGNALlNG-TORCH- Patented Nov. 20, 1906.

Application filed September 6, 1906. Serial Eli-333.526,

To all whmn it Tnmy con/corn:

Be it known that I, THOMAS G. Him, a citizen of Great Britain, (but having declared my intention to become a citizen of the United States,) residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented newand useful Improvements in SignalingTorches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to pyrotechnic signals; and its object is to provide torches which may be conveniently and safely carried by ships at sea or by armies on land or by any other companies or persons to produce lights of various styles and colors for signals.

To this end my invention consists in the Construction and combination of parts forming a signaling-torch, hereinafter more fully described, and particularly set forth in the claims, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a side view of my invention in its normal condition, and Fig. 2 a central longitudinal section of the same ready to be fired.

Numeral 3 represents a handle made of wood, which may be chambered at its upper end to carry asignal-star or fire hall 4, a lose 5, and a charge of powder 6 to eject the star or fire ball. A casing 7 of strong paper is secured rigidlyaround thcuppcr end of the handle and extends above it in tubular form as a receptacle for powders 8 9 10, each of which may be composed of materials to burn with a different color, A firing-block I1 is secured in the upper end of the case 7 to carry a percussion-cap or primer 12 and a quicleniatch fuse 13, which connnunicatcs between the cap 12 and the top charge 8 of powder. The firmgblock ii is longitudinally bored at 19 to receive a primer, and at the inner end of the bore the block 11 serves as an anvil for the primer to rest upon. The block 11 has a transverse aperture 15, and below that are grooves 16 down its sides to receive the fuse 13. The firing-pin 17 is a separate iece nor mall carried in a socket 18 in the ower end of the handle, as shown in Fig. 1. The mouth of the bore 19 is normally closed by a pa er covering 20.

he operation is as follows: Take the firin pin from its socket, push its point throu the paper covering 20, then holding t e torch by its handle thrust it forward to forcibly strike the head of the firing-pin endwise against some solid object. This drives the point of the firing-pin into the primer and explodes it, setting fire to the quiclt-burnin fuse, and that i 'tes the first char e 8 0 powder. The u and pin are tiiereby blown away an the signal-torch begins to burn. The powders 8, 9, and 1G or an other number similarly arranged set fire eac 1 to the next below. Then the fuse 5 is also lighted and communicates with the star or fire ball 4 and the owder 5, which drives the fire ball up into tie air. It will be understood that the charges of powder and stars or fire balls may be arranged to burn with any color and in any order or number desired to produce signals according to any code or previously-agreed si nificance. Besides the established codes eac com any or ship me have signals peculiar to itsell, and this signa torch may be charged to suit all such conditions. It is easily carried, easily operated and inexpensive. The primer being carried so deep in the firing-block it cannot be reached excepting by the firing-pin, and that being normally carried at the other end of the hendlc, accidental explosion of this torch is rendered almost impossible. It is therefore safe both when stored away and when being handled. When a signal does not include a star or fire ball, the chamber therefor may be omitted.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I believe to be new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is the following:

1. In signal-torches, the combination of a handle, a casing secured around and extend- BTIgTiS'E [powder-receptacle above the handle; a iringlock secure in the upper end of the casing and vertically bored to receive a primer and a firingin, and transversely cred and longitudma ly grooved to receive a fuse a firingin, and a socket in the lower end of the handle therefor.

in signal-torches, a handle chambered in its upper end and having in its lower end a. pin-socket; a case around and extendin as a powder-receptacle above the handle; a in lock for the upper end of the case, the said block being longitudinally and transversely bored and longitudinally grooved and a firing-pin fitted to be stored in the aforesaid socket and to enter the longitudinal bore in the said firin block, substantially as shown and describe 3. In signal-torches, a handle and a powhandle where the pin cannot communicate 1o derchamber at its u per end; a. firing-block with the primer-seat.

in the up er end of t e owder-chamber, the In testimony whereof I affix my signature said bloc being provi ed with a deeply-loin presence of two subscribing witnesses. Gated seat for a primer and a pin-hole leading THOMAS G HITT t0 the seat and a fuse-passage leading therefrom into the powder-chamber; a separate Witnesses:

firing-pin ada ted to enter the firing-block, L. B. STEDMAN,

and a socket or the firing-pin located in the MAY S. HARRISON. 

